Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the weekend following weeks of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party demanding his resignation over the NEET paper leak, according to medianama.com. The Centre appointed Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister shortly after. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students via video message and announced a high-powered task force to recommend reforms to India’s public exam system.
The task force will be led by Nandan Nilekani and aims to suggest ways to make examinations more reliable, transparent, and technology-driven, medianama.com reported. Modi stated that the government had already taken action against those involved in exam malpractice and set up fast-track courts to strengthen legal provisions against paper leaks. Delhi Police maintained prohibitory orders in parts of the capital during the protests and issued a traffic advisory on July 24.
The protests and subsequent ministerial change highlight ongoing challenges in India’s examination system, which has faced criticism over security lapses such as paper leaks. The government’s move to appoint a task force led by a technology expert signals an effort to modernize and secure public exams. The introduction of fast-track courts and stronger legal measures reflects a broader crackdown on exam-related corruption, a sector that impacts millions of students annually.
Delhi Police advised app-based mobility, food delivery, logistics, and e-commerce companies to regulate operations in restricted areas during protests, including temporary geo-fencing and suspension of services where feasible, medianama.com noted. These measures aimed to ensure safety and prevent movement into restricted zones under prohibitory orders in the capital.